By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D
The case between the Government of Anambra State and ‘Pastor’ Harrison Anazodo, an Onitsha-based spiritualist, who is reported to be married to over 50 women and also involved in wife swapping, among others, today appeared at the Anambra State High Court for continuation of his trial. During the proceedings, an application to grant the defendant bail on health grounds was made by the counsel to the defendant, W. Abonye, Esq., but was denied by the Judge, Honourable Justice Jude Obiora, who affirmed that the defendant has no life-threatening medical condition. The prosecution counsel led by the Chief State Counsel, Chineze Ononye-Ekwerekwu, Esq., demonstrated readiness to proceed with the trial with a twenty-paragraph counter-affidavit and two exhibits. She also convinced the court that the State is willing to prosecute the matter and already has witnesses lined up. The matter was subsequently adjourned to October 16, 2026.
Mr. Harrison Anazodo is being tried on seven-count charge that borders on a violation of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law, 2025. About two months ago, Mr. Anazodo was called out vigorously for human trafficking and abduction of people’s wives, abduction of both mother and daughter for forced marriage with him, among others. This led to his arrest by the State Government, and at the time of his arrest, not less than eleven babies were found in his house, and when he was interrogated, he confessed that he did not know the number of wives he had.
Earlier, before his trial commenced, some members of his congregation invaded the premises of Anambra State High Court and, in a bid to prevent journalists from covering Mr. Anazodo’s entry into the court, caused chaos, leading to the damage of at least two smartphones and cameras. Some journalists were equally manhandled. Upon receiving the report, the Attorney General of Anambra State, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, arrived at the State High Court and immediately proceeded to address the court and present the case to the presiding Judge, Honourable Justice Jude Obiora. However, counsel to the defendant, W. Abonye, Esq., tendered an unreserved apology and vowed that such will never happen again. The Judge then ruled that the damaged phones and cameras should be replaced.
Mr. Harrison Anazodo’s arrest and trial speak to the resolve of Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s led Anambra State Government to sanitize the State and enthrone law and order, as a milestone in the Government’s vision of a livable and prosperous homeland.
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